This is what happened after their meetings. I'm writing separate chapters about Hikaru, Umi and Fuu after their meetings with Lantis, Clef and Ferio. This one will be on Hikaru and Lantis.

Chapter 2: You're brothers?

Hikaru's P.O.V.

I had completely nothing to say. I couldn't muster any words at all. I was just lost in the darkness of his eyes. It was darker than anything I had ever seen. Yet, so soft and kind. It's a mystery how someone with such dark eyes have such kind eyes. Doesn't make sense right? But that is just how I feel staring at his black orbs.

I was put back to reality when I heard his voice. "Are you alright?"

I quickly got out of his hold, even though I sooooo didn't want to. "I-I'm fine. Thanks." I tried to act less embarrassed than I actually was. I mean who wouldn't? I've been staring at his eyes for such a long time and I'm sure he must think that there's something wrong with me. I quickly put my eyes down, trying not to stare at his eyes or else I'm sure that I'll be hypnotized again. Also, to hide the blush that is slowly creeping on my face.

"That's good." I looked up at him under the cover provided by my bangs. I could barely see his face. But, even though I can't see it, I could feel his gaze piercing through me. I must say, it was a rather intense gaze. Was there something wrong with me? Was there dirt on my uniform? Leaves on my hair? Bad smell?

As more suggestions came to mind, the atmosphere between us turned awkward. The air was making me sick. I'm not used to these kinds of things. I never felt this embarrassed before. Ah! I'm even playing with the end of my skirt! Why am I like this?

More seconds flew by. Embarrassment meter reaching 100%. Exactly why is he still here? I mean, shouldn't he have left after I said I was okay? Even though I like the fact that he's with me and all. Why did I just say that? This is getting way too much for me. I have to say something. But, what should I say? Ugh! Just say something! If you don't, he'll be bored to tears!

"I…" I said finally having the courage to actually look at him. Only problem is, he said it the same time as I did.

I immediately looked down again. "Yes?" I muttered. Where is my voice when I need it the most?

"I… you see…" the boy said. What is this? Am I hearing correct? Does he actually sound a bit… embarrassed?

I looked at his eyes again and for sure, I saw uncertainty and embarrassment. But, I don't get it. What is there to be embarrassed about?

He was about to open his mouth when someone called him. "Lantis!"

I looked behind him as he turned. I saw an equally tall guy with blonde hair tied in a short pony. His eyes were an intense brown. He was wearing the exact same uniform as the boy in front of me or rather 'Lantis'. Lantis… I like the way it sounds… Huh? W-What am I saying?

"What is it, Lafarga?" Lantis said turning towards 'Lafarga'.

Lafarga walked towards us and looked at me. His eyes were scanning me in a way a king looks at his food whether it was good enough for him or not. It felt as if I'm an inferior species to him. It was kind of uncomfortable.

Lantis seemed to have noticed my fear, if that's what you can call it. "Lafarga, stop. You're scaring her."

Lafarga looked at him then, back at me. He smiled a very soft smile. He doesn't look the least bit scary when he smiles. "I'm sorry if I have scared you. It's just that I have trouble believing you're a high school student. You look as if you've just started middle school."

I felt as if a heavy stone was dropped on my head. The word middle school repeated itself on my head. Just started? Doesn't that mean that I looked as if I just graduated from elementary? It does, doesn't it? But really what am I supposed to do? I've been trying for the past 3 years of my life to get taller. I even hung myself upside down once. I've even considered stretching myself to get taller. And all I got for my efforts was a mere 1 cm! All 3 years just for a cm! I've been trying to forget about that small detail since this is the first day. But since he brought it up, I felt as if I could die right on the spot.

My reaction seemed noticeable as Lantis quickly shot Lafarga a death glare. Lafarga, feeling his life threatened, quickly apologized. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way. Please don't be down. I really am sorry."

I, for one was not one to hold a grudge. I smiled a small smile. "It's okay. I get told that often."

Lafarga sighed. "Oh, I forgot. Lantis, we have to go now. Everyone's assembling."

Lantis nodded. He turned towards me and smiled. "See you later then. Watch where you're going next time."

"A-ah… yes…" I quickly muttered. The two quickly left as soon as they said goodbye. I waved at them as they slowly disappeared. As soon as they were gone, I swear my face turned into a tomato and steam went out of my ears. The image of Lantis smiling was deeply carved on my head. It took everything I got not to faint at that moment.

This is the first time I've been like this.

I placed my hand on my chest and closed my eyes. I can feel it. The fast beating of my heart. I can hear it. The loud sound of my heart resounding in my chest. Am I sick? I could feel my face red. It's also hard to breathe. What is wrong with me?

Normal P.O.V.

Hikaru quickly changed into the school's kendo uniform. She arrived a bit late because of her meeting with Lantis and Lafarga. By the time she finished, almost everyone was assembled.

Hikaru quickly stood on one of the lines for girls. She was careful not to trip because of her uniform. It was a bit loose on her. I guess the school hadn't expected such a small girl to enter the team huh? She thought. But that was not important now. This uniform kind of reminds me of Lantis and Lafarga's uniforms earlier. The light blue pants are definitely similar. I wonder why? Don't tell me it is the same? Doesn't that mean that Lantis and Lafarga are in the kendo team? Realization soon dawned on her.

I really am slow! She sighed.

Hikaru tried to remember Lantis in her head. It wasn't that hard really. The memory was still fresh in her mind. She remembers his height, his smiling face, his voice, everything about him really. He certainly doesn't look like a first year. Is he in second year I wonder? Hikaru said in her head.

"Listen up, all of you!" a loud voice boomed in front. Hikaru couldn't see who it was since she was at the back and also the fact that she's kind of short. Even though she couldn't see who it was, it sounded really familiar.

"Today, all of you are assembled because you all want to be in this school's kendo team. Very admirable and courageous." At the last word, Hikaru could have sworn she heard sarcasm.

"Admirable because you all want to follow the way of the sword. Courageous since, well you all heard the rumours about this kendo team's toughness. From a thousand students to a mere 3 to 1 students per year. 2 years back, all 1000 students had quit. Quite a feat, I might add." Now, it sounded completely like a joke.

Wait. Rumours? 1000 to 3? Isn't that what the others told me? Then… IT'S TRUE? Hikaru could feel dread coming up from the pits of her stomach and no, she was not about to vomit. Her head was just trying to imagine all the hard and difficult training that could have made all those students quit. I wonder what they made them do.

Maeda Zagato smirked at the frightened faces of the students. He was standing on a small stage in front of the students. Even though the stage was small, he could see till the back of the lines because of his height. "Be sure to be strict with them, Lantis." Zagato said to the tall boy behind him, without looking back.

"Of course. I do not give exceptions." Lantis said nonchalantly.

Lantis scanned the large crowd of freshmen before him. Most were cowering in fear with what Zagato had said. It seems that only a few will be able to join this year. He sighed inwardly. He continued scanning the crowd with uninterested eyes till he spotted red hair. His eyes widened as he remembered his encounter with the small red haired girl earlier. Could it be...? He couldn't see the face clearly because of the tall girls in front of the red haired. He could only see the top of her head.

Nah. It couldn't possibly be her. She doesn't look that much of a fighter. But then again, looks can be deceiving. Lantis pondered.

"Practice will start after school. Till then, dismiss!" Zagato shouted.

Hikaru jumped up and down to see who was shouting but couldn't. The height difference of the girls in front of her was too much and the one shouting was way too far.

Hikaru sighed once more. How many times have I sighed today? Hikaru joked. But didn't find it in her to laugh. I wonder if I'll get to join. The team might not let me join since I'm short. Hikaru thought.

Hikaru was too busy in thought to notice a few girls giggling behind her back.

"She's trying out for the kendo team? What a joke." one of the girls snickered. She was a bright blonde with straight flat hair till her shoulders and a light blue headband. Her eyes were a hazel brown.

"She must be dreaming if she thinks she can join the kendo team with her height." Another girl laughed. She had cropped dark brown hair with eyes of the same color. She had a light tan. Both of the girls were wearing the kendo uniform.

They both turned towards their other friend and said, "Right, Primera?"

The said girl was staring at Hikaru with her beautiful yellow eyes. She had long cerulean hair with a small curl at the end that reached till her waist. She has 2 big dumplings of hair on her head and from each a thick lock of hair with a golden band at the end. She had her slender arms crossed on her chest. She curved her plump pink lips into a smirk and turned towards her friends. "Maybe we should teach her to stay where she belongs."

Her two friends stared at Primera then to each other then back to her. "Alright." The two girls knew that whenever Suzuki Primera smiles like that, she wants something and that she'll do anything to get it. And it seems that she really wants to get that short girl off the team.

The two girls gulped fearing for the red hair's fate.

Hearing her friends' answer, Primera turned her pretty little head back to the girl. She wasn't mad about the fact that the girl thinks she has a chance for the country's best high school kendo team. She was mad about the fact that someone apparently has their eyes on her.

Primera turned her gaze towards the stage where Lantis was staring hard at the red hair, desperately trying to see her face. She turned her cold eyes back to the red head and she gritted her teeth. What is so special about that girl? Primera cursed in her head. Exactly why does Lantis seem so interested in her? This is so frustrating! I'm gonna make sure that girl will never get in the kendo team.

"Hey."

Hikaru turned to see a beautiful girl with cerulean hair and yellow eyes. She was not as pretty as Umi but, almost there. Behind her were 2 other girls. One had blonde hair and hazel eyes while the other was a double brown. All three of them were smiling at her but Hikaru could definitely see a tiny bit of malice in them.

"Hi." Hikaru smiled back, trying to wave off the DANGER! DANGER! signals coming from the three of them but still being cautious.

"I was wondering whether you'd like to have a practice match with me." Primera smiled widely. She's even prettier when she smiles. Hikaru thought.

"Eh? A practice match? Will they even allow us to?" Hikaru asked. She definitely did not want to get into trouble on the first day.

Brat. Primera thought, the smile still plastered on her face. "Of course, they will. I'm very close friends with the captain. I'm sure he'll allow it."

The captain? Oh yeah, wonder what he's like? Hikaru wondered.

Hikaru was kind of taking a long time so one of the girls spoke up. "So, your answer?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. Umm… I guess. It'll be fine."

Primera clapped her white hands together. "Wonderful! So, we'll wait till everyone's left, and then we'll start the match…umm?"

"Oh. My name's Shidou Hikaru." Hikaru smiled.

"Well then Hikaru. I'm Suzuki Primera. Nice to meet you." Primera held out her hand which Hikaru gladly accepted.

"Nice to meet you too, Primera-chan." What a sweet girl.

The whole complex was empty. It seemed quite different to Hikaru now that it was empty.

It was rectangular in shape. The floor was wooden and the walls were white. There was the small stage up front. On the back end of the stage was a table. On it was a white vase with a few flowers. On each side of the table were scrolls with writings. Above the table was a small picture frame with the words KENDO written on it. There were many blue mats on the floor. I wonder how long it took for them to build this place. Hikaru wondered as she walked towards the mat nearest to the stage where Primera and her friends were waiting.

Once she got there, one of Primera's friends threw her a shinai*. Hikaru caught the shinai and looked over to Primera who was now also holding a shinai. They both putted on their Men*, Kote*, Do* and Tare*.

"We will have a one point match. The rules will be the same as that of an official match. Got it?" Primera said getting in to position.

Hikaru nodded as she also got in to position. She sounds different from before. She sounds really angry. What happened to the cute and sweet girl earlier? Hikaru thought as she realized the friendly smile earlier was indeed fake. I really should listen to the warning signals I receive.

"You didn't have to scare them like that." Lantis said to the double black beside him.

"But, I had to. You don't want to pick cowards do you, Lantis?" Zagato said.

Lantis sighed.

"Oh."

Lantis stopped in his tracks and looked at Zagato. "What's wrong?" Lantis turned his gaze to where Zagato was looking and saw the door to the kendo complex open. Lantis turned his eyes back to Zagato and said, "This is…"

"It seems we have a couple of troublemakers." Zagato smirked.

Primera's blonde friend turned her gaze from Primera to Hikaru and slowly raised her arm. "Start!" She quickly brought her arm down as Primera dashed towards Hikaru.

Primera raised her shinai and brought it down on Hikaru's head. Got you. Primera thought.

SMACK!

There was a loud sound as a shinai fell on the floor.

"Point for Hikaru. Hikaru wins this practice match." The blonde said.

Primera's eyes widened as she brought her hands in front of her face. She looked in front of her and saw her shinai lying on the floor. She turned around to see Hikaru standing with her back turned.

Hikaru took off her Men and sighed. She looked back at Primera who was staring at her wide eyed. Hikaru didn't know why she was staring at her like that so she just smiled at her.

"Primera!" Both of Primera's friends rushed to her.

"Primera, what the hell just happened?" the double brown asked.

"Yeah, I couldn't see it properly. All I know was that you were about to win when suddenly your shinai dropped to the floor." Her blonde friend panicked.

The two girls shouted at the same time, "What the hell happened?"

"Before Primera's shinai connected to Hikaru…"

All 4 girls turned to see Lantis walking towards them along with Maeda Zagato. The two double black's stopped in front of them and Lantis continued.

"Hikaru moved beneath Primera and swung her shinai upwards. The top part of her shinai hit Primera's Kote with such force that Primera lost her hold on her shinai. And that's what happened in the split second duration of this match."

Hikaru looked over to Primera and her friends, to see them cowering in fear. What's wrong with them? Hikaru turned her gaze back to the two new arrivals, just in time for her to meet with Lantis's gaze.

Hikaru let out a small 'ah' as she saw Lantis staring at her. Lantis quickly withdrew his gaze to Primera.

"Suzuki Primera, I believe that you know the rules." Zagato said.

Primera bit her lip as her friends stared at her with pity. Primera closed her eyes and said hesitantly, "Yes, chairman."

Zagato nodded and turned to Hikaru. Hikaru straightened her back at the questioning gaze of the chairman.

"Suzuki, would you care explain the rules here for this young lady? I believe she doesn't know it yet." Zagato smiled.

Primera opened her eyes and started talking to Hikaru but her eyes were downcast. "Shidou, do you know of the system here in Rayearth about the selection of the new kendo members?"

"Yeah, I do. All of the people who want to join must participate in club activities for one whole week and then, whoever survives joins right?" Hikaru said.

"That's half correct. You see, in order to get in the kendo team, you must defeat a current member of the team. And since there are so many students wanting to join, it all usually takes one whole week. Those whose matches are the next day will be practicing under the captain's supervision."

I see. Then, Hikaru realized something. Defeat? Current member?

"Umm, Primera-chan. By any chance, are you a member of the kendo team?" Hikaru asked already having a good idea of the answer.

Primera raised her head, finally looking at her. "Yeah, that's right. I am Suzuki Primera and in class 2-B. Just a few minutes ago, I was a member of the kendo team until you defeated me."

"Eh! No way! No way! This was just supposed to be a practice match! I didn't mean to get you off the team!" Hikaru babbled.

Primera shook her head and Hikaru stopped her possibly-might-last-forever babble. "You beated me. It doesn't matter if it was in a practice match or not. All that matters is that you beated me. And since you did, you are now a member of the kendo team."

Hikaru's eyes brightened at her last sentence. A member of the kendo team.

Member of the kendo team

Member of the kendo team

Hikaru didn't realize that she was slightly drooling. "Really! I can't believe I got beat by such a kid!" Primera pouted.

"I keep on telling you, Primera to never judge a book by its cover." Lantis said.

"Yeah, but…" Primera didn't continue as she looked down once more. "I was just so angry that I forgot."

"Angry? Why? What did Hikaru do?" Lantis asked while trying to look at Primera's eyes.

Primera looked to the side and thought; it's not about what she did. It's about what she might do. She looked at Hikaru, who was still drooling. I'm angry at the fact that YOU might be interested in her.

"Primera?" Lantis asked concern evident in his voice.

Primera got a slight blush on her cheeks, hearing Lantis's concern. She tried to hide it by acting angry. "Nothing, okay! She didn't do anything! I was just a bit mad because she's so short and she thinks she has a chance at our kendo team! That's all!"

Lantis softened his eyes and smiled a very small smile. So small that hardly anyone saw it. "I see." He's been friends with Primera ever since they were children so he knew her more than anyone else in the world. That's why he knew that Primera often hides her embarrassment by acting angry. Kind of like right now.

Hikaru's mantra of 'member of the kendo team' broke when she realized something. "Huh? Now that I think about it, why is Chairman Maeda Zagato here?" She asked, pointing to the tall double black who had been quiet all this time.

"Ah. I forgot. Aniwe is the team's advisor, Hikaru." Lantis said.

"Ah… I see." Hikaru smiled thinking that the kendo team must be very important since the school's chairman is the advisor. Hikaru also realized that he must be the one who was shouting. No wonder it sounds familiar. She was smiling when all this thoughts crossed her mind until… "Aniwe?"

"That's right. Lantis and the chairman are brothers." Primera said crossing her arms.

"Brothers?" Hikaru repeated.

Primera and her friends repeated, "Brothers."

Lantis and Zagato also joined in saying, "Brothers."

Hikaru nodded, "Brothers." Her eyes widened as her next words escaped from her throat. She screamed it so loud that the whole complex shook. "YOU'RE BROTHERS?"

TBC

Kendo Terms

Shinai: bamboo sword

Men: the head gear which has a metal grille that protects the face, a series of hard leather and fabric flaps to protect the throat and padded fabric flaps to protect the side of the neck and shoulders

Kote: gloves which protect the forearms, wrists and hands

Do: the breastplate which protects the torso

Tare: three thick vertical flaps that protect the waist

Sorry for the wait. I was just so busy with Christmas and New Year's that I completely forgot about updating. Anyway, please review! Flames are also allowed.

Suffering angel15: Thanks. I'll try to update faster. If I have more time.

Paris Cefiro: Sorry if one of my metaphors gave you a horrible mental image. When I said 'bathing', I meant it because both their eyes are blue. They were just so stupefied about how blue the other eyes' were since they never actually seen it properly. They only knew that it was blue and that was it. But, thanks for the comment. I'll try better next time.